Summary of Specifications:
INTRODUCTION: Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the Wayne County Airport Authority (Airport Authority) hereby invites businesses that meet the qualifications set forth herein to submit Responses for the provision of federal legislative and governmental affairs consulting services for the Wayne County Airport Authority.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports have been under the sole operational jurisdiction of the Airport Authority since August 9, 2002. Detroit Metro Airport is an air carrier facility serving both connecting and origin/destination traffic and was ranked as the 16th busiest airport in the United States in terms of number of total passengers in 2009, according to Airports Council International (ACI). Detroit Metro Airport currently has 13 major air carriers that provide more than 600 daily departures to approximately 160 nonstop destinations. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”) and its operating affiliate airlines carry approximately 80% of the total traffic at Detroit Metro Airport. Delta and its SkyTeam™ alliance partners operate from the Edward J. McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport. The McNamara Terminal includes 121 gates, including 12 international gates and a federal inspection service facility. In September 2008, the Airport Authority opened the North Terminal, providing 26 gates and a federal inspection service facility for the other airlines operating at the Airport. A 2005 study conducted by the University of Michigan-Dearborn revealed that Detroit Metro Airport has a $7.6 billion estimated annual economic impact in Michigan and that the Airport is responsible for as many as 72,000 jobs across the State. Passenger traffic at Detroit Metro Airport is, on average, split relatively evenly between origin and destination passengers and connecting passengers.
Willow Run Airport, located seven miles west of Detroit Metro Airport along the I-94 corridor, is a major air cargo, corporate, charter, and general aviation airport. Originally constructed in 1941 to field-test B-24 bombers for World War II as they rolled off Henry Ford’s assembly line, Willow Run Airport became home to what was then the largest bomber plant in the world. In less than four years, Ford’s Willow Run plant produced a remarkable 8,685 B-24 bombers, securing the airport’s place in history. Today’s Willow Run continues to be a critical component of the state economy, having stimulated, directly or indirectly, more than 2,300 Michigan jobs representing a payroll of $65 million. Businesses at the airport also generated $9 million in local taxes during 2006. Although scheduled passenger service is prohibited at Willow Run Airport, the airport is home to several major charter and cargo airlines – making it one of Michigan’s busiest in terms of flight operations.
Until June of 2010, the Airport Authority had a Government Affairs Division, with three staff members. These positions currently are vacant. It is unknown when or if they will be filled.
